Cat - behaviour after vets visit

daisy_jean

Last night we took our 11yr old cat to the vets - he has been losing weight for the past month to two months and we decided to get it investigated.

He was happy to go in his case (he often sleeps in it!) and although mildly stressed by the car journey, arrived safely at the vets.

Once in the consultion room, he was everywhere having a good old explore, and let the vet weigh him. Hyperthyroidism is suspected so we were advised to have his blood samples which we agreed too

Then the fun began... The vet and vet nurse tried to get blood but couldn't - they set a hair clipper going to shave a patch and he freaked totally. Wouldn't let them near him. They suggested a mild injection sedative to relax him, we agreed. He had it, they waited 20mins and came back. Still no chance on the blood test front. He is now booked in to be taken into be admitted on Monday for them. He was fine when he arrived home last night, usual food begging self.

Fast forward to today - he is tired and lathargic and not really interested in much. Even refused roast chicken (his favourite!). Could this be a result of the sedative? If he hasn't picked up by the morning I'm going to ring the vets (they have a 24/7 hospital on site) but has anyone else experienced this?

I'm concerned about how stressed he is going to be on Monday now... The vet did say that she was 95% convinced it was Hyperthyroidism and she did mention that if they couldn't get blood they may just trial medication.

daisy_jean

Okay typically since I posted above he has picked up...

Husband just ate some chicken and the cat practically tried to take it off him... Redirected him to his previously rejected chicken in his bowl and he's wolfed it. Bloody cat :rotfl:

DD265

Typical cat

Maybe he had quite an anxious night so he was genuinely just knackered. You could try some Feliway? Pets At Home sell it, and I think most vets do as well, though it tends to be cheapest online.

Marmaduke123

I don't know why they use those clippers, our old cat was the same, totally freaked out by them. She always had to go in for a few hours if they needed to get blood. She inflicted many wounds on the vet!

daisy_jean

Yeah I'm gonna look at getting some Feliway - our vets has a special cats and exotic animals building which uses that in the reception and I noticed an immediate calmness came over him once in there so will look into getting some definitely.

He's still a bit subdued but back to begging for food (has since had more chicken... :T )

As for those clippers - surely any animal will be freaked by them so I was really shocked when they tried to use them!! :eek:

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

My oldies weren't impressed, but didn't make a fuss other than give the vet a filthy look each time the clippers came out and the nurse held their paw. I suspect the two I've got now would be similarly disgusted (although the fluffy one has an absolute moratorium upon paw holding, a quick bundle in the basket blanket would still render her incapable of anything other than whining her displeasure).

Sounds like he was just feeling sorry for himself, but chicken brought him round in the end.

daisy_jean

He ended up going back in on Monday for a full sedation and blood test. Results came back as unanimously Hypothyroidism with levels of 168 (my poor boy!!). Started him immediately on Thyronorm medicine twice a day, and omg what an improvement in a week...

Back to being affectionate, coat back in great condition and no longer losing tufts like he was. No longer CONSTANTLY begging for food either - I mean he's always been a very food orientated cat but he's back to normal begging capacity rather than the emergency heightened I've never been fed mode!

He's back on the 7th for more bloods to see if it's bringing his thyroid levels down but I can already see the difference. It's just stabilising it all now. Meds for life but whatever it takes for our boy :j

Only probs is the cost. I already owe the husband £165 for this last round... Hopefully won't need full sedation next time

JulieM

Can I just give you a tip about Thyronorm medicine, as you're no doubt already aware that it's expensive. It comes in 2 sizes, your vet will probably sell you the 30 ml size, but there is also a 100 ml bottle which works out cheaper. You can also buy it online with a prescription from the vet though I've not done this myself.

charlotte1994

daisy_jean wrote: »

He ended up going back in on Monday for a full sedation and blood test. Results came back as unanimously Hypothyroidism with levels of 168 (my poor boy!!). Started him immediately on Thyronorm medicine twice a day, and omg what an improvement in a week...

Back to being affectionate, coat back in great condition and no longer losing tufts like he was. No longer CONSTANTLY begging for food either - I mean he's always been a very food orientated cat but he's back to normal begging capacity rather than the emergency heightened I've never been fed mode!

He's back on the 7th for more bloods to see if it's bringing his thyroid levels down but I can already see the difference. It's just stabilising it all now. Meds for life but whatever it takes for our boy :j

Only probs is the cost. I already owe the husband £165 for this last round... Hopefully won't need full sedation next time

I'm glad he's feeling better! You must have been worried about him x

daisy_jean

Yeah I've seen the medicine online, so definitely going to look into that...

He's back tomorrow now, as due to the husbands work shifts we couldn't do the 7th. He's much more back to his usual self, and is definitely putting on weight again. Not as porky as he used to be, but on his way back to it!! :rotfl:

Vet

daisy_jean wrote: »

Yeah I've seen the medicine online, so definitely going to look into that...

He's back tomorrow now, as due to the husbands work shifts we couldn't do the 7th. He's much more back to his usual self, and is definitely putting on weight again. Not as porky as he used to be, but on his way back to it!! :rotfl:

There's also the option of a once daily tablet called Vidalta - useful instead of the twice daily formulations.

Hope everything works out alright! Remember to keep on with the thyroid and kidney monitoring. It's very important in hyperthyroid animals